The number of shootings in Catalonia has reached 24 in the early months of 2026, averaging one incident per week. This increase, confirmed by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police), reflects a 30% rise in firearm incidents compared to the previous year. The trend is causing concern among law enforcement agencies due to the risk of violence affecting individuals unrelated to criminal conflicts.

Data indicates that 93 shootings were registered in Catalonia last year, up from 69 in 2024. Of these, only 29 incidents resulted in injuries, and seven in fatalities. The remaining incidents are considered merely "intimidatory" shots. Concurrently, the number of arrests related to these events has risen from 248 in 2024 to 293 last year.

The head of the Criminal Investigation Division (CGIC) of the Mossos, Commissioner Ramon Chacón, has stated that many of these shootings are "intimidatory" and linked to disputes over drug trafficking and territorial control. Chacón emphasized that "everything that ends badly has to do with drugs" and that the shots often serve to "mark power or territory" among rival organizations.

However, the commissioner warned of the increasing risk posed by the proliferation of firearms, as it heightens the possibility of innocent individuals being accidentally injured. For instance, on April 14th, a woman was slightly injured by a casing fragment during a shooting in Poblenou (Barcelona) that resulted in the death of a Serbian mafia boss. The "normalization" of weapons in criminal environments, particularly in drug trafficking, is a police concern.

The Mossos d'Esquadra maintain that Catalonia is far from the levels of armed violence seen in other countries, but acknowledge that recent incidents in public thoroughfares and busy areas have heightened public alarm. Last weekend, a man was fatally shot on Mineria street in Barcelona; he had prior convictions for public health offenses.